The Palo Alto High School Viking boys volleyball team overpowered the King’s Academy Knights in a dominant 3-1 victory on Wednesday night at home.
The Vikings came out with a 10-4 lead in the first set. King’s Academy was doing a great job blocking, but despite that, Vikings showed great defense and were able to push the score to 11-5. The Knights showed some resilience, gaining momentum by getting a point from blocking, pushing the score to 11-7, putting them back into the game.
The Vikings reorganized a and slammed multiple points in with good blocks and sharp teamwork, giving them a 16-8 lead. The Knights managed to get a point back into the game to push the score at 18-9. The Vikings traded points with the Knights to close out the set, winning the set at 25-14.
According to Varsity defensive player Tyler Verbeek, the Vikings did a great job in passing, but could improve on their energy and maintaining momentum.
“Today, we passed really well. So passing allowed us to run a really good offense and kill the ball,” Verbeek said. “I think the biggest thing was energy. We had pretty low energy today. So I think big energy leads to big plays and big momentum.”
The Vikings started well in the second set, gaining the first points. But the Knights responded and both teams started trading points, tying at 4-4 and 6-6, due to shaky defense from both sides and strong hitting. The Knights took the lead 7-6, but a poor block put the Vikings ahead 8-7, then with that momentum leading 11-7.
The Knights called a timeout to regroup, following that, they came back into the game 12-10. However, misplaced serves gave up important points for the Vikings, extending the Knights lead to 14-16. Both teams manage to trade points, tying the set at 20-20. Despite strong fighting from the Vikings, the Knights take this set 25-23.
According to Daryl Chan, Viking’s head Coach, the team needs to keep their effort and not expect all easy games.
“I feel we lose focus, this team we should have beat easily,” Chan said. “I feel our focus wanes, comes and goes, and then we stop. So we have to concentrate to play at our very best and not take a team for granted.”
The Vikings started the third period with strong passing, grabbing an early 2-0 lead. Then the Vikings extended their lead to 6-2 with aggressive finishing. The Vikings didn’t let up, stretching their lead to 16-8 behind relentless pressure and teamwork.
Although the Knights managed to put themselves back into the game at 16-10, it wasn’t enough. The Vikings maintained composure, using powerful serving and effective blocking to push their lead, closing the set at 25-15.
In the fourth set, Vikings struck first, gaining a huge 8-4 lead. With high energy and confident blocking, Viking dominated, pulling to 14-9, then continuing to 19-13. Then the Viking closed the match out at 25–16. Giving the Vikings the match after winning the fourth set. Maintaining the team’s undefeated season at 9-0 in League.
According to Chan, despite the win, the team could still improve it’s energy throughout the season.
“We’ve been really working on getting our bench to give us energy so instead of reactive cheering after, like cheering after, something great has happened,” Chan said.
According to Chan, the team looks forward to the future of their season, expecting to top the league.
“So we are first in our league, and this is the second time around. So it’s always harder when you’ve beaten everyone in League, and then you’re coming around to beat them, so you’re expected to beat them,” Chan said. “We, in theory have the people, we have the personnel to win the league. I try to have the players stay focused and we shouldn’t even drop a set in this league, but we lose focus.”
The Vikings’ (16-11) next game is against Santa Clara (7-14) at 6:45 p.m. Monday, at home.
